Semua Bab Cherished by My Cripple Husband: Bab 1 - Bab 10

CLARA "If you don’t put on that dress, Clara, I will make sure you never walk out of this basement alive."My mother’s voice poured like ice water down my spine. She didn't call me her daughter; she hadn't used that word for me in eighteen years. To Eleanor Montgomery, I was a ghost, a humiliating secret, a curse that had ruined her perfect life the moment I took my first breath.I huddled on the cold concrete floor of the storage cellar, rubbing my bruised wrists. I could feel tears welling in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall."Please, Mother," I whispered, my voice raw. "Evelyn is the one engaged to him. I’m not even allowed to be seen in public. How can you ask me to do this?"A sharp slap cracked across my face. My head snapped to the side, my cheek burning with a familiar, blistering heat."Keep her name out of your mouth," my father, Richard Montgomery, barked from the doorway. He stepped into the dim light, his handsome face twisted in utter disgust. "Evelyn is fragile.

CLARA My father looked as if he had been struck by lightning. His mouth opened and closed like a dying fish. "Mr. Vance! You can't be serious! You signed the marriage certificate, but... but you canceled the bailout? That wasn't the deal! If you take away the money, our company will go bankrupt by the end of the week!"Gabriel's face remained as cold and blank as stone."The deal was made for Evelyn Montgomery," Gabriel said, his rough voice cutting through my father's panicked screaming. "You tried to pass off a fake bride while keeping the prize for yourselves. You committed fraud, Richard. I could have my lawyers put you in prison by midnight. Be glad I’m only taking your company.""No! Please!" my mother cried, pushing herself up from the seat, her face pale under her heavy makeup. "Clara is nothing! She’s damaged goods! She has no manners, no education, no standing in the world! If you want a bride, take Evelyn! We'll bring her right now! We'll force her!"I felt Gabriel’s grip o

CLARA Gabriel’s roar vibrated right through the floorboards, matching the wild pounding in my chest. "I said get back in your room!" he snarled, his voice breaking on the last word. His face was twisted in a mix of fury and intense shame, sweat dripping from his chin onto the floor. Every instinct honed over eighteen years of abuse told me to run, to slam the door and hide under the blankets until morning. My parents had taught me that a powerful man in a rage was the most dangerous creature alive. But as I looked at Gabriel—his massive frame shaking, his teeth gritted so hard the muscles in his jaw bulged—I didn't see the ruthless billionaire who had destroyed my family a few hours ago. I saw someone trapped in his own nightmare. Instead of backing away, I took a step into the hallway. Bare feet making no sound against the floor, I walked straight toward him. "Are you deaf?" Gabriel spat, his eyes flashing with pure danger as he forced himself onto his elbows. The veins in his ar

CLARA The guards didn't dare ask another question. They turned on their heels and quickly marched back down the long hallway, their footsteps fading into the distance until the doors clicked shut behind them.Silence returned to the dark corridor.I sat back on my heels, my knees shaking uncontrollably from the brief encounter with death. My hands were trembling as I looked down at Gabriel.Gabriel let out a slow, tired breath. The fierce anger in his eyes slowly faded, leaving behind only exhaustion and pain. He looked away from me, staring at the floor beneath his face."Why didn't you run back to your room?" he asked quietly, his tone no longer harsh. "You heard them. They would have shot you.""I couldn't just leave you here." He didn't answer right away. He lay there for a few seconds, processing my words. In his world, people only helped each other if they wanted something in return. Money, power, or revenge. He had spent the last two years surrounded by guards who feared him,

CLARA "He told me to go back to my room," I said. "He told me not to do it again if I hear sounds outside.""And will you listen to him?" Mrs. Gable asked, raising an eyebrow.I thought about his voice in the dark hallway—how soft and genuine he sounded when he thanked me right before I shut my door."I told him I would try to help him anyway," I said simply. "If he needs it."Mrs. Gable let out a soft breath, shaking her head gently. "Eat your breakfast, Clara. Get dressed. Mr. Vance wants to see you downstairs in his private study in an hour.""Okay." Mrs. Gable bowed her head slightly and walked out of the room, locking the door behind her as usual. I sat down at the table, taking a bite of the warm bread. It was the first proper food I had eaten in days, and it tasted better than anything I could remember.While I ate my breakfast in the quiet warmth of my suite, far down the hall in the master wing of the mansion, the doors to Gabriel’s private quarters were locked tight.The ro